Sail happy and sail safe, wish you a very happy new year

If you have a yacht that means you are a seafarer by passion and cannot ignore the catcalls made by the endless volumes stretched up to the horizon, storing beneath an ocean-full of mysteries. Looking at the sea for a long time makes you seek another voyage. You feel the urge to hoist the storm sails once again and set out for faraway co-ordinates, a virgin shore waiting for the first footstep. A true mariner always wants to spend the very special moments at sea. We know that many of you are planning for a new year boat party, all set to do the final countdown on board. Some of you may have a plan to spend a few days sailing long distance. National Sail Supply, the sails and sailing equipment supplier, wish everyone a happy and safe sailing experience this new year.

“Every new year is like a new voyage. You are filled with excitement, you have a map and direction but you never know whether a storm will bring a topsy-turvy moment for you. You should be ready for all odds and pick the proper stuff before you set out”, says Rolly Tasker, the principal sailmaker. He is making sails for more than fifty years and all over the world, more than ten thousand vessels are using Rolly Tasker sails. He has lofts in Australia, Thailand, Hong Kong and France. If you are looking for custom built sails, National Sail Supply is the place. They supply headsails, mainsails, spinnakers, Catalinas, ropes and all the other sailing equipment.

“We are too passionate people, the sea-goers. It does not matter whether you own a luxury yacht or a small boat, water won’t be sweet anyway and the storms will not spare us either. In fact, we, the mariners have a special chemistry with the storms. We are threatened as well as thrilled. We pray hard before sailing but if it strikes us, we feel volcanic from inside. We gather all of our energy and strive to ride the storm in style”, he went on, “how seasoned you are in seafaring is often measured in terms of how many times you have surfed through the gusty winds and managed to fight the phenomenon. We have seen even experienced seafarers fail sometimes. Technique and skill are definitely two important aspects but the type of sail used and the quality of equipment, both are vital. We especially recommend private yacht owners to pick the best quality sailing equipment within their budget.”
 
Budget is definitely an issue for all of us and for any kind of purchase but when you are sailing, you cannot just compromise with the quality of the equipment. And, specially if you are getting ready for a special new year bash with your friends and family on your yacht, do make sure there is no loophole.

For you are bound where mariners never dared

If you have a yacht that means you are a seafarer by passion and cannot ignore the catcalls made by the endless volumes stretched up to the horizon, storing beneath an oceanfull of mysteries. Looking at the sea for a long time makes you seek another voyage. You feel the urge to hoist the storm sails once again and set out for faraway co-ordinates, a virgin shore waiting for the first footstep.

You find it little exaggerated? Oh yes, it is. But if you are a true mariner you can understand from where this is coming from. We are too passionate people, the sea-goers. It does not matter whether you own a luxury yacht or a small boat, water won’t be sweet anyway and the storms will not spare us either. In fact, we, the mariners have a special chemistry with the storms. We are threatened as well as thrilled. We pray hard before sailing but if it strikes us, we feel volcanic from inside. We gather all of our energy and strive to ride the storm in style.

How seasoned you are in seafaring is often measured in terms of how many times you have surfed through the gusty winds and managed to fight the phenomenon. We have seen even experienced seafarers fail sometimes. Technique and skill are definitely two important aspects but the type of sail used and the quality of equipment, both are vital. We specially recommend private yacht owners to pick the best quality sailing equipment within their budget. Many lofts nowadays keep ready-made sails apart from the custom built ones. Do check and choose the right kind of sails, if you are bound where mariners even never dared yet.

Go to the loft for tips, advises and sails

Many new seafarers feel confused while buying the spinnakers for their vessels. They often find difficulty in choosing the right kind. That is why we always recommend the new mariners and private cruisers to consult a good sailmaker. Buying from his loft will be a different experience altogether as  these lofts are filled with people who have spent quality time at sea and can share a number of tips and advises.

If you are not a seasoned mariner but planning to spend a few days cruising with your private vessel or you are going to join a crew for some serious seafaring business, you should have a clear knowledge about all types of sails and if you feel like you are falling short, you can even approach a local sailmaker for some tutorials.

Some people get confused with the codes designated to the spinnakers. Just remember the basic, running sails are even number sails and reaching sails are of odd number. Now, depending on the wind speed and angle the choice of sail will differ. Codes are designated to represent the sailing conditions. When the vessel moves forward along its course, it gets exposed to the changing wind conditions and spinnakers need to be chosen accordingly.

When you are going downwind, you need a code 2A which is a medium air sail that surfs through 7knots or 8 knots. The code 2 sails cover 7 knots to 20 knots wind and sometimes is mentioned as ‘All purpose’ spinnaker. Code 4 is for winds more than 18 knots and if you are sailing offshore you must take code 6 that withstands very windy conditions.

Now applying logic you can figure out that code 1 is meant for mild wind conditions. See, it is easy and will be easier with a loft experience.

Put your name on the sail

Buying sails for your vessel is one of the most critical tasks and this is what you should do very carefully. Do not get too fascinated by brands. We are not at all against brands but the point we are trying to make is that sometimes custom built sails serve better. May be these sails are not coming from a big factory but from a local loft. That does not mean these customized sails will be of inferior quality.

Most of these lofts employ experienced craftsmen who have worked for big brands. Besides these lofts are owned by seasoned mariners. They can actually guide you if you are a new seafarer. Ready made sails sometimes do not match the exact requirements of the boat. If you are choosing custom, then the sailmaker will have the option to go see your boat and take the measurements so that the sails fit perfectly.

They will also ask where you will be heading. Is it offshore or along the coast? Will you be catching up with the trade winds or traveling through the  gusty weather conditions. This information is vital in deciding the type of sailcloth to be used and the type of headsails to choose.

But the greatest perk of choosing a custom sail is that you can put an emblem or write a name, which will be visible from a long distance.

Choose Headsails according to your sailing plan

When you are off to shop to buy the Headsails for your vessel, you need to choose according to your sailing plan. Depending on your destination, requirements will change. If you are sailing offshore, the type of sails you need are different from those you will require while sailing along a coastline. The sail configuration changes from vessel to vessel also.

When your mainsail is big enough, you will need a heavy weather jib and a 120% roller-furling Headsail. With this new roller-furling technology, we have reduced the number of sails in use but it is good for coastal sailing. The moment you go offshore, you are exposed to changing wind conditions and single Headsail will not help you.

For an offshore sailing boat, two Genoas can provide an adequate support-- one 135% that can be reefed around 95% and another 105% which reefs to 75%. But roller-furling has a side effect. Changing the sail set midway is difficult and so you need to make a sail setting plan depending on your sailing route. Large Headsails will be required if your sailing through the high pressure conditions. But if you are going to catch up with the trade winds, you need smaller ones.

Rig configurations are not same for all the boats. Some sailors even modify them to accommodate two Headstays. It is in fact necessary to have two Headsails at least, if you are planning to sail offshore.

One must know about types of sails first to master the art of sailing

Sailing was one of the earliest modes of communication before trains, cars or planes came into existence. Now sailing is more for adventure and fun. People take up sailing to undergo the adventure and element of thrill it has to offer. People take up coaching classes to learn the art of sailing. The first step is to know about various types of sails that are being used in the sail boat.

Sailing which was one of the earliest mode of communication developed by mankind is now an adventure sports. The element of thrill comes from unpredictable direction and the speed of the wind in the sea. The sail boat is moved by trapping the power of the wind as energy source. Different types of sails are used depending upon the speed and direction of the wind and the course taken by the boat. All types of sails are custom designed for every boat individually for best fit. The customization of the sails depends upon type of boat in which they are to be used.

Mainsail is the primary sail which acts as the main source of generating power to move the boat. It is triangular in shape and are fixed to the mast and attached with the boom. Headsails are secondary sails which are attached to the mast and the bowsprit on the bow of the boat. They are used to provide extra speed and turning power to the boat. Their curved shape makes them more aerodynamic than the Mainsail. Genoa and Jib are two types of Headsails used in the boat. Spinnakers are large balloon shaped sails that helps the boat in downwind sailing. They have symmetric and asymmetric shape. Strom sails are small sails which are designed to be used in stormy weather. They work perfectly in bad weather to control the boat against storm.

All types of sails are custom made for easy handling and efficient performance in the sea.

High quality Spinnakers are offered for sale at affordable price online

Sailing is always about adventure and fun. Though, most of the people will vouch for the adrenaline rush experienced by them during sailing, many people look for just venturing out in the open sea to experience the serenity of the ocean. Being out in the open sea, away from the noise of the city life proves to be very helpful in giving rest to the mind and rejuvenate the soul. These occasional sailors can purchase sails online or can hire them on rent as well. 

Spinnakers are designed to aid the boat in specific sailing experience depending upon the direction of the wind and the course to be taken by the boat. Spinnakers are large balloon shaped sails. They are available in bright colours and made up of very light material like nylon for easy handling. Spinnakers are best used when the boat is either running or reaching the course in the direction of the wind. They act like airfoils and generate drag and lift to move the boat forward. The spinnakers must have really taught edges and the material should stretch evenly with no bubble formation. Else, it will reduce the lift offered to the boat and hinders boat’s performance. 


The main types of spinnakers being used in the boat is symmetric and asymmetric spinnaker. The distinction offered relates to the symmetry offered by the plane of the spinnaker. Symmetrical spinnaker is used when boat is to be moved directly in the direction of the wind and known as running the course. Asymmetric spinnaker is used when the wind is coming from behind the boat and at an angle to the boat and known as reaching the course. The force in symmetric spinnaker is generated from its top portion and in case of asymmetric spinnaker the force is generated from the side.

The spinnakers are designed keeping in mind the efficiency of the sails to boost boat’s performance.

Most of the sails are designed to improve the performance of the boat in all types of wind speed and weather condition. But, there is one sail which offers additional service, which is providing safety to the boat in adverse weather condition. Unfortunately, they are not given much importance and considered as extra burden and useless addition of cost.

The storm sails will be recommended by any seasoned sailor who has sailed in various weather conditions, from good to worse. Storm sails are designed for safety of the boat and its crew in stormy condition. It can be very easily distinguished from other types of sails due to their remarkable small size and its colour. Storm sails are designed in orange coloured material. Orange colour makes it easily visible and being spotted in bad storm. Since, their main motive is to face the harsh wind in the storm and keep the boat under control; much consideration is given for safety in their making. They are made from comparatively much stronger material than other sails. They are given extra stitching and the edges are usually fixed with thin steel rods to weather the force of the wind in storm.


Storm sails offers less surface area to the wind and hence generate power just enough to move out of the strong waves. The Genoa on the other hand is made up of lighter material and may not resist the power of the wind. Its large area will create power which could not be supported by the boat and the chance of the boat to get heeled is very high. Storm sails are designed to function efficiently in situation where other sails will fail to perform.

Therefore, the Storm sails must be the part of every sailing inventory.

Headsails are designed to take advantage of varying wind condition at sea

The sailors need to equip themselves with a host of sails to sail the boat in different weather condition and wind speed. Headsails are secondary sails designed to play the primary role when the Mainsail is lowered down when the wind is smooth and the vessel is running very smoothly. Headsails are the first sails that the wind encounters in the boat. They are placed ahead of the Mainsail and further towards the end of the boat. The most common type of headsails is Genoa and Jib. The headsails are furled or brought down depending upon the situation. The position of the Headsail should be continuously adjusted depending upon the prevailing condition. It helps in controlling the boat and take advantage of the situation. If they are set right, can provide good speed and control to the boat and if not set properly they tend to hinder the progress of the boat and endanger the ship.

Genoa, Jib, Genoa Staysails and Yankee Headsails are the common headsails used for cruising. Among them, Jib is the most common sail used during the maximum course of sail plan. Genoa is used for sailing in the light wind in the range of 10 to 20 knots. Jib is an all purpose sail that is used when the wind is in the range of 15 to 40 knots. Genoa Staysail is an overlapping sail used in strong weather and helps in boosting the average speed of the boat. Yankee Headsail is used in wide range of condition and especially in reaching and upwind sailing.

Competitive racing use almost five Headsails for different situation. Wind Seeker or Drifter, Light Headsail or code 1, Medium Headsail or code 2, Heavy Headsail or code 3, Code 4 Headsail, Genoa Headsail and Jib top are different Headsails used in racing competition.

The performance of the Mainsail is very important while manufacturing it

Sailing is one of the amazing sports that uses nature’s power manifested in the form of strong wind in the open sea. As the name suggests, the Mainsail is the primary sail being used in the boat to provide the power required for propulsion. Wind power is trapped within the Mainsail which generates enough force to lift and drag the boat simultaneously. It can be considered to be the power house of the boat and does the most of the work. It is located behind the mast of the sailing vessel. It is very huge and has large sail area. It

can be either rectangular or square in shape. The Mainsail is not only about speed but they must be rugged, reliable and easy to handle.  They are made from very strong material like nylon or polyester which are strong yet vary light. The lightness of the Mainsail allows for easy handling. Strength of the mainsail is important to retain its shape when load builds up in strong wind and lighter weight decreases heeling and pitching movements. Usually, the colour of the Mainsail is white which have few coloured stripes and logo of the team or the sponsoring company is printed on it. When the boat is running smoothly, the Mainsail is usually lowered down and the task is taken from the secondary sails called as Headsails. Headsails are rather expensive but they can last for a decade if the material is of good quality and they have been handled with care despite the fact that the average life of the Mainsail is three to four years. The Mainsails are custom made based on the design of the boat in which it is to be used. Second hand Mainsails are also available in the market at affordable cost but good quality.

Storm sails may be the last item on the safety gear list but never avoided while sailing

Safety concerns are very important while venturing out in the open sea and all protective gears are put in place for the safety of the crew members. But, storm sail which are also called as storm jibs are given last preference despite their crucial role play in bad storm.  Most of the sailor keep go by the perception that the best safety technique while going for sailing is to plan the sailing during favorable weather and the storm sails will remain unused forever in some cramped corner. However, it must be remembered that storm sails are like seat belts or air bags in the car which play crucial role during bad accident and manage to save lives. 

The storm sail functions well in strong and disturbing winds as it offers very less sail area as compared to other sails making it easy to move the boat downwind. The other bigger sails trap more wind and generating more power which very easily stalls the boat.

Storm sails are used in storm to maintain just the minimum sale area required to maneuver the boat out of the situation because of its smaller size. They are made of bright orange colour so that the boat can be spotted easily in bad weather condition against the grey backdrop, so that rescue team can easily reach them and move them out of the life threatening situation. They must be made up of heavier cloth and must be heavily stitched, heavily reinforced in the corners and must be cut flat for strong winds.

Ability to hold shape and strength of the mainsail is very important for sailing in all wind speed

Sailing is a very thrilling sport where the sailor gets the opportunity to test his strength and prowess. It is an amazing experience to use the power of the wind to sail along the waves of the incredible ocean. People often venture out in the deep ocean to enjoy the scenic views. It is not only fun but also therapeutic in nature as it calms the mind. Nothing can be more relaxing than spending time in the ocean in utter silence except the noise of the wind and waves, away from the noisy world.

The boat uses the aerodynamic structure of the sails to trap the wind and generate enough force to push the boat ahead. There are different types of sails that are available to move the boat in various wind speed and its direction. The sail which is majorly used as the powerhouse of the boat is known as Mainsails. It provides the power and speed to the boat and also helps in steering the boat in desired direction. The mainsails must be strong and light for smooth movement of the boat. The mainsail must be strong enough to hold the shape when load builds up in heavy blows else the sail will collapse in strong wind.  The lightness of sail prevents the boat from heeling and reduces pitching movements. They must be able to easily adjust to the changing condition of the wind and take shape accordingly. It is located at the main mast of the boat and supported by a horizontal boom. It is positioned at tight angle to the boat such that it moves against the direction of the wind also known as upwind sailing. They must be made from strong yet light materials for the optimal performance. They must be durable enough to withstand the vagaries of weather conditions for a longer period. 

The manufacturers and suppliers of sails custom design the Mainsails to provide best fit to the boats as every boat is unique in design and features.

The sailors must not avoid storm sails to save money

The adventurous sailors often venture out deep into the ocean for sublime experience when they often have to come to terms with the fury of the nature in the form of unpredictable weather condition such as heavy rain, gusty storm which are also accompanied with lightning and thunder making the situation worse. The sailors should always be prepared for such unreliable conditions. They must always carry storm sail which has been designed to function well in the bad weather.

Many sailors have the perception that weather forecasting system and communication channels are so advanced and reliable that they do not need storm sail as they will never venture out in bad weather. But they forget that weather can be very unpredictable especially in the deep ocean and communication channels can fail miserably in bad weather.

The storm sails are designed keeping in mind the bad weather and adverse situation it might have to face in guiding the boat out of the sticky situation. The usual sails do not function well in strong winds and can lead the boat to heel. They are built using strongest materials and its components are also of best quality. The lining and stitching are done by hand for extra strength and durability. The shape of the storm sails allows sufficient control over the boat and helps in moving out without getting overpowered by strong wind. Stainless steel cringes are used along with double tabling for extra strength. The storm sail is made in orange colour for easy visibility by the rescue team in bad weather. The storm sails must be designed for reliability, easy fitting and easy handling.

Quality Headsails are available for sale at affordable rates

If you are bored to death with the mundane activities of daily life and looking forwards to something very exciting, then Sailing can work wonders for you. Sailing is a very adrenaline pumping, thrilling adventurous sport. People take up sailing during the weekends to relax and energize oneself for the coming week filled with the same hustle and bustle of daily life. It is great to escape in loneliness once in a while away from the madding crowd. 

Sailing uses different types of sails to be used in different weather condition and wind speed. The major categories of sails that are being used are mainsails, Headsails, Spinnakers and Storm sails. The rest of the sails are variation of the above mentioned categories.

The head sails are the secondary sails which are used during the boat journey. The headsails are used for moving upwind along with the mainsails as the main power generator for the boat. There are two types of commonly used headsails known as Genoa and Jib. They are placed in front of the mainsail in the boat and hence their name. They are first sail that the wind has to encounter. They are always remain fixed to the boat and rarely removed unlike the mainsail which is removed when the wind is very strong. Genoa is larger in size than a Jib and used when the speed of the wind is low. Its larger size helps in generating maximum drag when the speed of the wind is low. Jib on the other hand is used when the speed of the wind is high because of its smaller size which functions well in high wind. The Genoa overlaps with the mainsail but Jib remains below the mast. 

Headsails are very important for sailing in a given weather condition and must be designed and constructed for safety and easy handling.

Storm sails is very necessary for protection in bad weather

It is said that the most beautiful things in the world are most unpredictable. The saying aptly fits with what ocean has to offer us. Venturing out in the open sea is very adventurous and most amazing experience. But, it also full of risks at all level. The main threat of sailing comes from bad weather which comes with strong gale lashing badly at the boat. 

For many people, investing in storm sails is a waste of money as most of them will not dare to venture out is storm. The technology has developed to a large extent to facilitate timely warning of bad weather. Still it makes sense to take precaution for one’s life. One must never even think of sailing without a storm sail.


Storm sails for sale is available in most of the stores who are either manufacturer or suppliers of sailing equipments. Storm sails are also custom made to fit perfectly on the boat. They are made from very strong materials which are also very heavy to bear the wrath of storm in the turbulent sea. They are designed keeping in mind reliability, easy fitting and easy handling in the boat. A reliable storm sail will allow to focus on controlling the boat rather than worrying about the condition of the sail. They are integrated with stainless steel rigs and cringes for imparting extra strength coupled with extra stitching. They are made in orange colour to increase its visibility in bad weather against the grey or black background.

The storm sails are smaller in size and they are put up in turbulent weather. The large Genoa will not be able to keep the boat in balance. They are usually lowered down and storm sales are used to navigate the ship out of the bad weather condition without getting overpowered by the force of the storm.

Mainsails – the power source for smooth sailing

Sailing is a good sport which is filled with thrill and adventure. It makes the sailor keep fit as much strength and endurance is required to operate the sail boat. One will need to know the skills and techniques required for sailing after which sailing can becomes a source of enjoyment and fun. Sailing is also therapeutic in nature and helps in maintaining the balance between mind and body.

A good windy situation prevailing on the sea is always desirable by the sailors. The power and direction of the wind is used for sailing by properly channelizing its strength through sails. The strength in the wind gets stalled in the sail and generates enough momentum to push the sail forward. There are several sails which are must for sailing and must be the integral part of the sailing boat.

Mainsail is the principal sail of the boat and it is attached to the mast and boom. It is mostly in triangular shape and is also available in rectangular shape. It must be made of good quality material and construction for efficient performance and strong enough to handle strong wind. It is required to be trimmed and optimized according to the speed and direction of the wind to keep the boat moving at optimum efficiency and speed. They are made from very strong materials such as nylon, polyester, Dacron and Kevlar for its stretch resistant properties and durability. 

The mainsails for sale are available in sailing equipment stores as well as online. They are custom made to fit properly with the sailboats for greater efficiency and strength. They are made strong enough to face the hazards of strong weather condition and prevent from any damages. 

Custom Sails built to fit your personal sailing boat

“I can’t control the wind but I can adjust the sails” – Ricky Skaggs, resonate in the mind of every person who take up sailing for adventure or sports. Who would not love to venture out in the open sea and witness the perfect picture of the dusky evening and experience the calmness?

Most of the people love to get their boat custom made to reflect their style. Market is full of shops that make available custom built sails for sale. The sails are designed and made using latest technologies and materials to ensure safety, efficiency in the sea and strength and durability for its rough use. Custom built sails enable best performance from the boats because of their tailored fit. Various types of sails make up the complete sailboat. Different sails are used in different wind condition and for different types of sailing experience. Custom sails can be purchased online also by providing your requirements.

Different types of custom sails used for sailing are Mainsails, Headsails, Spinnakers and Storm sails. These are the basic category of sails and other types of sails available in the market are a variation of these category. Mainsails are used to power the boat for propulsion using the strength of the wind. It is the main sail. Headsails are the secondary sails used along with the mainsail and also in place of mainsail. They are used to navigate the boat upwind. Genoa and Jib are the two main headsails. Spinnakers on the other hand are used when the boat is sailing downwind or the wind is flowing from its rear. Spinnakers have two subtypes. The traditional spinnaker is also called symmetrical spinnaker which is fixed on a pole and used when the wind is directly behind the boat. Asymmetrical spinnaker is used when the wind is coming to the boat at an angle. Storm sails are used in bad weather to keep the boat under control.